Machine for coupling butt-joints of splints



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. A.. KIMBALL.

MACHINE FOR COUPLING BUTT JOINTS OF SPLINTS.

Patented Apr. 17,1883.

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. Wi bzexfeyx UNITED STATES PATENT Urrrcn.

HIRAM A. KIMBALL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MACHINE FOR COUPLING BUTT-JOINTS OF SPLINTS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,142, dated April 1'7, 1883.

(N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM A. KIMBALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful ImprovementinaMachiuefor Coupling Butt-Joints of Splints, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The nature of my invention will be understood by the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which make Y a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a press for coupling the splints by means of thin metallic clasps M. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section at the line on a: of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a plan view of the press. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section at the line 3 g of Fig. 2. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views, on an enlarged scale, of the dies J and J and plunger L in connection with a contiguous part of the press. Figs. 7 and S are face and edge views, respectively, of a clasp, M, also on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 shows coupled ends of two splints. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the plate K;

Like letters of reference in all the figures indicate the same parts.

Ais the top of a bench, upon which my improved press is secured.

Bis the bed-plate of the press, which is provided at its front edge with cheeks a a, which project from itsunder side.

Uisa lever, which is hung between the said cheeks by means of the fulcrum-pin b.

I) is a standard, which projects from the said bed-plate B, and has cheeks a a, between which the lever G is hung by means of the fulcrum-pin I).

E is a treadle, which is hung on the fulcrumpin b between the cheeks a a of the permanent block G. The treadle operates the levers O and 0 simultaneously, being connected withthe former by means of the rod H and joint pins 0 c and with the latter by means of the pitman I and joint-pins c c, as shown in Fig. 2.

J is a stationary die connected with the permanent plate K, and J a movable die, which is caused to slide in the slot or groove d, formed in the upper side of the plate K, as seen more clearly in Fig. 10, and the under side of the die J. The said die J receives its forward movement, for bending the edges of the clasp hereinafter described, by means of the lever G, after which, as the lever recedes therefrom, it is returned to its former position (shown in full lines in Fig. 4) by means of the spring N.

L is a plunger, which has its vertical movements in the groovefin the front edge of the standard D, being held in place by means of the cap-plate g. It is connected at 'its upper end with the front end of the lever G by means of the pin it.

The dies J and J are provided with curved edges, as shown in the drawings, for bending the edges of the clasp M over the edges of the splints O O, and the end of the plunger L is provided with a concave face for pressing the end down upon the convex side of the splints. The end of the plunger is also slotted to admit of its springing tightly between the edges of the dies, so as to firmly press the edges of the clasp onto the splints.-- The clasp M is struck out of thin sheet metal, and has serrated edges, as seen clearly in Fig. 7, and has the edges curved upward to facilitate its connection with the splints, as seen in Fig. 9.

The operation of coupling the splints is as follows: A clasp, M, is laid between the dies J and J, with its turned-up points upward, and the operator presses the treadle E downward, whereby a simultaneous movement is given to the levers O and O, the former pressing the die J toward the die J, so as to firmly bend the serrated edges of the clasp M over the edges of the contiguous ends of splints, the curved edges of the dies being of suitable shape for that purpose, and the plunger pressing the edges of the clasp down upon the convex surface of the splints and embedding the pricks i therein, to form a positive coupling of the splints and an even surface 01 the connected parts. It will really appear that the rounded corners which constitute the upper portions of the curved surfaces of the dies J and J facilitate the spring of the jawsjj of the plunger Linto place when forced down between the dies. After the clasping operation, when the operator relieves the treadle E of the pressure of his foot, the rear end thereof, overbalancing its front end, descends to its former position away from the coupled ends of the splints by means of spring N, as seen in dot-ted lines in Fig. 5. The full lines in said figure represent the (lies J and J and plunger L in the posi- IOO tion they assume at the completion of their work in coupling the splints.

I claimas my'invention- 1. A machine for coupling butt-joint splints with metallic clasps M, consisting of a stationary die, J, and a movable die, J, having curved edges, and a plunger, L, having a concave and slotted end, as shown, the movable die and plunger being operated by suitable means, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A machine for coupling butt-joint splints,

consisting of a movable die, J, and a stationary die, J, and plunger L, having a concave and slotted end, operated by the levers O and 15 HIRAM A. KIMBALL.

Witnesses:

CLARK F. Rxcmmnsom, J OEL O. BAKER. 

